The 10 BEST Natural Beauty Products You Need To Try Now…

We all should know by now that our skin is our biggest organ. I have tried so, so many products over the last few years to find you all the best items. Some are good..some are bad…some are great!! I’m here to tell you about the products I do not go without now. They are classics and hard to beat.

It’s hard to switch to a completely natural lifestyle. It’s taken me years to learn and I am still learning. And sometimes, it’s impossible to avoid chemicals it feels. BUT… we can try to avoid them. At least to even just bring peace of mind.

And one thing I love.. Beauty Products! I have never been a full on junkie. I usually bought a few quality things and loaded up on some cheaper goods for fun or variety. So when I realized I was having reactions to things I changed it up mostly! Now, I am a self-proclaimed minimalist and love natural products.

Here are some MAJOR first steps to take to change your skincare routine for something clean & green!

10 Best Beauty Items To Have Now

Major First Step: Your Deodorant

Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant, $4.99 Target

Deodorant can contain aluminum. Why is this bad? Aluminum levels are linked directly to breast cancer, Alzheimer’s & even liver toxicity. So exposure to is definitely playing a factor here. I do like Arm & Hammers Essentials but Schmidt’s is now found at Target for only $4.99…shop link now!! This one doesn’t leave you feeling sticky or stinky. It’s perfect.

Your Soap

everyone soap 3 in 1 $9.99 Target

Changing to a naturally derived soap will help maintain a natural ph balance. This means your skin will stop working overtime trying to correct what toxins are doing to it. Using harmful soaps can leave you dry or even oily in some cases if your body is trying to repair the damage. So don’t lather on too many chemicals here. Plus it can be bad for the water!! I love this soap because it smells great, we can all use it & it’s not expensive but cuts out a lot of the harmful ingredients still. Plus it’s huge!! Score.

Your Face Wash (Hands Down..The Best Stuff Right Here)

ACURE Brightening Facial Scrub $9.99 Amazon

Oh me..oh my… I am hooked..never looking back. I have been reading about Acure for awhile. And on Amazon Prime day I scored a bunch for half off. And there is a reason the aisles of your local Target are usually sold out of it. It works and is amazing!!!! Clean, green and wonderful!! Try Acure Brightening Facial Scrub asap!!

Your Lotion

WELEDA Skin Food $12 Amazon

This lotion is ranked highly among all who have come across it. Not only is this brand great at natural products, they have created the perfect formula. I use this for major dry skin, pedicures, sun burns..you name it. I don’t have to feel bad slathering this on. Amazon runs sales on it too! I scored my last bottle for only $5 there.

Your Toothpaste

WELEDA Calendula Toothpaste $12 for 2 Amazon

I know what you’re thinking…how could Toothpaste be bad? Well it is. While I usually reach for Tom’s brand myself, I have learned recently that may not even be enough. Your toothpaste may can contain Triclosan in the worst cases too. It is toxic and can be linked to disease. Take a look Here..even the FDA is admitting it now and removing it from products. It hasn’t been removed from Toothpaste yet though!!! Other countries already have it banned from products. Just make sure you have a Toothpaste that is nice and natural. Dr. Bronner’s also makes amazing Toothpaste we all love.

Your Face Mask: The Best!!

Indian Healing Clay $9.99 Amazon

Yes it works. Combine with a little water and Apple Cider Vinegar and you have your self a miracle mask. This will actually get rid of black heads, clear your skin and keep you looking fresh and bright. Just check out the other reviews..thousands of people swear by this. And the price is phenomenal for what it does and how much it will make! Get rid of of the rest and stick with the best.

Your Nail Polish

Pacifica 7 Free Nail Color $9 Ulta

Our beloved nail polish can contain formaldehyde among many other hormone disrupting factors. Even the nail technicians wear masks!! Julep, Butter and even Jamberry have toxin free options though. The colors actually last. I stocked up on a few lovely colors to alternate on for each season!

Your Shampoo & Conditioner

yesto Shampoo & Conditioner $7.99 each Amazon

Your hair will actually work overtime to correct the damage done to it as well. It’s why I love to choose mostly natural options. Ever had dry ends and oily roots? Well this could help that. There are many harsh chemicals even in shampoo. So if you want healthy, shiny locks switch to a naturally derived option to protect yourself and the tresses. Avoid parabens and sulfates. Some chemicals in soaps actually do not break down in water. So they are bad for water too. I love Acure, Burts Bees and many others too!

Your Lips

Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer & Tints $4.99 each Amazon

This one of my favorite products of all time. Gorgeous colors with stunning results. The cost is amazing for these little beauties. Parabens, petroleum & oxybenzone are just some of the issues with chapsticks and lipsticks. They can be linked to cancer…and who wants that sitting on their lips to be ingested for the rest of their life?

Your Foundation

Physicians Formula Foundations $10-14.99

Another big way to care about your skin is foundation. Tarte, Lush and Origins all have awesome foundations you can use but this one is a decent start for someone.

Continue reading The 10 BEST Natural Beauty Products You Need To Try Now…

3 Ways To Get Organized & Stay Organized: Daily Tips & Weekly Plans For Budgets, Chores and More

New year, new you! Ok..it is not a new you but you can improve anything or change anything that you desire. That is the beauty of this world. There are things I’m absolutely no good at and others I think I’m pretty decent at! For instance, I used to struggle to stay organized and usually found myself under so much pressure and stress! Now, I’m a planner-packing Momma with a plan for just about everything.

I like to call it organized chaos…

Do I always follow through on every plan?….Definitely do not. But making lists and goals will dramatically change the way you handle things and what you can accomplish. If you’re feeling run down, always busy, stressed, whatever it may be….I am going to share my secrets for you.. to keeping things mostly together to avoid that Hot Mama Mess! I’ve been there, it sucks. And I promise these little habits do make things feel easier.

1. Make a weekly plan for chores, workouts, meals, errands….

That’s right. Seems tedious but it works. And pretty soon you’ll have made such a habit from this, that you’ll have it memorized and accomplish tasks like a pro (even if you’re frowning, downing coffee..you’re getting it done like a boss) For instance, I like to grocery shop on Saturday mornings so I can relax the rest of the week.

I also like to tackle one daily chore throughout the weekdays too. That way once Saturday afternoon hits, I’m a free woman. No cleaning, minimal cooking and my house is wonderfully clean & stocked with food and I can rest till Monday. No questions about what to eat either!

When I complete every task each day, that I knew was on schedule, I feel happy and less like there is so much to do. It frees up more time in my day and keeps me from frantically trying to keep everything clean at once….which is impossible!!! So set real goals!

Weekly chores/tasks ideas:

Monday– Wash and fold all laundry from weekend, Clean Kitchen
Tuesday– Deep clean bathrooms
Wednesday-Dust & clean floors
Thursday-Wash sheets
Friday– Organize Toys, Books, and anything that was misplaced during the week hustle.
Saturday– Meal Plan For 1-2 weeks and grocery shop and meal prep a few things. Run errands. (Try to do this early so you’re free the rest of the day)
Sunday– Minor pick up/clean up from weekend

And get kids involved if you are a mom! There are wonderful chore charts and reward systems to implement but more on that later!

Of course, you’ll have to upkeep kitchen and laundry daily too. And some weeks just don’t go according to plan. But when you give yourself a schedule, you will tend to stick to it. So write up a plan that is realistic to you!

Meal Plan Ideas:

Man-Day Monday– my husband goes back to work on Monday..so he gets to pick (it is usually Mexican!) Or “My Pick Monday” works wonders too!
Taco Tuesday -get creative!
Italian Wednesday– all things pasta and bread
Thursday Kid Night– (usually classic kid items like homemade Mac n cheese..homemade “Hamburger Helper”, diy chicken nuggets) Bonus points if you let kids get involved and excited to be in charge! Even if it’s coming straight from the store let them help or set table/clean up. Don’t have kids?… make this your favorite healthy meal!
Fish Friday– salmon, fried, sushi…
Take out Saturday– we run errands early Saturday, so having lunch or dinner out helps a lot. Even if it’s fast food, take out, or just something from the deli..we cut ourselves a break.
Sassy Sunday– waffles, bacon, bake a cake, grill a steak, dips, enjoy a clean home and lots of food on this day. Have a glass of wine and enjoy! Reset before Monday!

The whole week I do the same things for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is granola bars, bananas, oatmeal, fruit,overnight oats, frozen waffles etc…

Lunch is usually leftovers or salads, soups & sandwiches. And snacks are usually the same as breakfast/lunch….granola, berries, veggies. Just keep ingredients clean when store buying! I love Aldis for cheap, healthier quick snacks like travel trail mix, healthy popcorn packs for kids, rice cakes and so on..

Just make sure you write down your meal plan and bring it with you. It will create a budget and simple trip for you every week! And buy fruits and veggies that are in season so they are fresher and cheaper & to save even more money!

Weekly Workout Plan:

Monday– arms
Tuesday– abs
Wednesday– legs
Thursday– cardio
Friday– Yoga

Find a groove and keep to it. Hop on YouTube after work or in the morning and squeeze in a small video routine. If you want to keep going then definitely do! But I love to just turn on the Tone It Up girls and do something of theirs that suits my time and daily task. It’ll keep you moving and having basic strength and endurance you might be missing.

2. Get Rid of Clutter. For real.

Honestly, how many of you have clothes from years ago that you haven’t touched? Or way too many junk drawers? Or 3/4 empty bottle of soaps etc that have sat in the back of a cupboard? Cluttered fridge? Cluttered bathroom cabinets full of old makeup etc?

Keep it minimal! And donate/throw away things that are wasting your space.

Only buy and wear clothes that bring you joy and will have great use. (I wear the crap out of stuff but it’s all I need!) And don’t overspend! You only need a few cleaners for your home so try buying a universal soap or just keeping the main ones that will do the job mostly everywhere.

Just keep things minimal. There will be less laundry to do, less to dust and less to put away. And keep up on it too!

Donate any old movies, books, toys, or anything that truly is wasting space in your home. Someone else may be really happy to find a deal on it and all it did at your house was collect dust.

3. Have a place for every belonging. That’s Right, everything..

Keep books on shelves. Keep toys in baskets. Keep papers in folders/files. Keep blankets in baskets. Keep cabinets organized.

Keep items with other items that are the same. Have a place where everything you own belongs…

Seems simple until you have way more than you need or just don’t like to clean!

Sure I have baskets in all rooms but I feel great about it. There’s a drawer for kids in the bathroom. There’s a drawer for myself and then my husband. There’s a basket for my throw blankets. There’s a basket for books and a basket for toys in the living, that always fills up with what the kids carry around that day.

See, perfect organized chaos. Sometimes I have to take those drawers and baskets and get rid of the junk or put things back in their rooms. But it gives us a space to put things in a hurry. There will be less stress. Everyone knows their places for things. And my home looks and feels clean, which makes me feel like there’s balance to the busy.

And there will still be things out of place of course. But at-least you know where you want to put it when you’re ready 😉

Stay tuned for more ideas on getting the chaos under control!

Meal Prep: Healthy Items For The Whole Family

As a part of my Motherhood Monday feature, I am sharing my favorite way to save some time…meal prep!! In our house, meal prep is a major saver! It saves money, time & sanity. So I praise the power of meal prep, as you all know. The last few weeks I have prepped a ton of chilli, soups and warm roast sandwiches since we were all sick. Now I am in need of something a little lighter, and since the weather is warmer this week again, fresh fruits and veggies sounded wonderful.

The possibilities are endless with what we picked this week, which is why I had to share.

From yummy Chicken Caesar Wraps to Burritos…we’ve got ya covered Boo! And the kiddos have some healthy options too!

Breakfast/Snack: Mini Pancake Muffins

Ingredients:

1 batch natural/organic pancake mix or your favorite homemade recipe
Fresh fruits
Local or 100% natural maple syrup

1. Mix together your pancake ingredients and spoon 1 tablespoon of batter into greased mini muffin pan slots.

2. Add fresh berries or fruit of choice to each muffin mix.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes & let cool for 10 minutes.

You can also make bigger pancake muffins using 2 tbsp for each muffin. Top with fresh cream, syrup or whatever you desire! The kids love these. You will too.

Lunch: Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowls

Ingredients:

Meal Prepped Chicken, Fully Cooked (use natural oil, herbs to bake/grill chicken)
Black Beans
Corn
Tomatoes
Cooked Brown Rice
Cilantro

Layer all the ingredients in a bowl and use desired portion for each meal. You can top with a creamy, Avocado dressing or even add a little queso, sour cream or salsa and enjoy as burrito bowl. Or another option is to make actual burritos. The kids love to keep their bowls simple and they add on taco sauce, sour cream & cheese.

Dinner: Grilled Chicken Salads/Wraps

Ingredients:

Nutrient Rich Greens ( kale, spinach, etc.)
Cauliflower Crumbles
Baked/Grilled Chicken

Combine ingredients in a bowl for healthy salads ready to be topped with endless amounts of veggies or keep it plain for delicious Caesar wraps. Use desired amount for each portion. For the kids, I might toss this on the stove in a little oil & you can too for a warm stir fry option!

Now remember bake your chicken in natural flavors like Himalayan pink sea salt, pepper, olive oil & fresh garlic and herbs. Keep your ingredients and dressings very simple and natural as well.

It doesn’t have to be organic to be good but it doesn’t need to have long list of ingredients or high fructose corn syrup! I’ll say this every time!

Places like Trader Joe’s, Aldis, Kroger & more have their own inexpensive natural and organic brands of products now.

Make sure to have lots of nuts, fruits, veggies & smoothies to go along with your meals!

I’ll share our healthy favorite snacks that we are working on later..So stay tuned!

Physicians Formula Amazing Makeup Haul…

I have loved Physicians Formula for some time now. They offer Paraben Free products at a great cost, that is accessible to everyone. No fancy store required. So I can get behind that!

Using organic/natural makeup doesn’t always give you the full effects that you’re used to. But this haul had me very happy! These products are sold on their own too. The colors were all fantastic and went on so smoothly.

There was no build up. Everything was soft and I could tell my skin was able to breathe!

So let’s check out these latest Special Value Packs that you can find now at Target, Ulta and their own site! I added on their new Butter Bronzer and Blush too….😍

Physicians Formula Multi-Tasking Miracle Super BB All-In-One Beauty Balm Makeup Kit-$19.99

This kit came with these three options. The cream, concealer & powder. Coverage was very nice. More natural makeup will have a lighter texture, which is good for your skin. It means less gunk to clog pores! And while putting anything on your face isn’t ideal for pores, this is definitely a better option if prone to breakouts!

Physicians Formula In The Nude Custom Eye Enhancing Makeup Kit-$13.99

The prices for these packs are crazy!!! First off, the mascara was not clumpy at all. It was like cream and loved the brush too. It has two options for eyeliner and mascara, browns and blacks. Then it came with the eyeshadow too! The eyeliners I will buy over and over. And I love the colors in the eye shadow palette. I just blended some different colors and created a great smokey eye. Again, the colors with be soft. The goal here is to have color but for it to blend well and be light.

So overall you’ll get an amazing natural looking glow. Love it!

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer-$13.99

My new favorite bronzer. The smell alone is divine! Glides on like Butter. These ingredients are natural and rich. I feel like I am actually being beneficial to my skin when I apply this. No joke. After I washed my face the night I used all of this, I had the softest skin.

The color of this bronzer is amazing!

Physicians Formula Butter Blush-$13.99

Another lovely smelling product here 🙂

The color completely blends in for a natural looking glow, just as the name implies. The shine is gentle on this, so it really does just make your skin look like your naturally sun-kissed.

The finished look with all these products combined is 100% natural. But there are options to apply darker eye looks or lighter depending on the look you need. But the facial creams and powders are glorious. It all really does work and gives you a wonderful glow. I am so ready for Autumn, but I will miss my tan..no lies. So I will be using this to keep that effortless, bombshell look going strong through the colder seasons!!

5 Best Uses For Apple Cider Vinegar In Your Beauty & Fitness Routine…

I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”…Well the same goes for apple cider vinegar! I’m going to share with you my favorite uses for apple cider vinegar and why you should be using it every day. Not only does it regulate your blood sugar and pH levels, it helps fight off infections and detoxes your organs. Plus, it can work wonders on skin and hair.

So here are 5 wonderful ways to incorporate Apple Cider Vinegar into your daily routine..

Detox Shot…this jump starts your whole system and should be as routine as your morning coffee is! This will aid weight loss! I take this right before breakfast. It helps curbs sugar cravings and keeps your entire body in check from your tummy to your heart. If you have a cold or feeling ill, this will help detox your system! *Mix 1 tbsp apple cider with a shot of your favorite juice (I prefer Pineapple) add a little honey if needed..best method I’ve found so far
Face Toner… dab the vinegar onto a cotton ball and viola! Rub your face to help remove blesmishes, even tone and prevent future breakouts. Talk about glowing skin! I love this method!
Hair rinse..oh yes, let your tresses shine! This will actually balance your hair! Making it soft to touch..from root to end! It removes build up to let your hair have that natural bounce to it. * I like to put vinegar into a little bottle I can keep shower and amount depends on hair length. I just make sure my hair is wet and apply through strands, then rinse.
Salad Booster.. the drinking vinegars just not cutting it? Mix into your salad. It will help break down the food and you’ll still get lovely benefits from eating it. *Mix 1tbsp ACV with 2 tbsp olive oil, then season with herbs/spices etc for your own healthy dressing. Add a splash of Dijon mustard to all that and you’re good to go!
For The Home…you can rinse your fruits and veggies with this..dilute with water and a drop of lavender to wipe down hard surfaces…rub onto sunburns..and so much more!

As you can see, I love keeping a bottle of AVC around. And since I have seen firsthand how great it works for us, I had to share my favorites on this! My skin has been doing so much better with breakouts and I love how great I have been feeling. So if you aren’t already a fan, I highly suggest grabbing a bottle next time you’re at the market!

The Best Beauty Buys under $10…

I have rounded things up that I always keep around and some of the best beauty dupes out there!!!!! All of these things come together for a quick 5 minute foul proof makeup routine to wear regularly. These are some of the best products out there that you can get anywhere for under $10…brace yourself…

For The Face…

Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation & Powder – in Buff/Nude Beige shown here..the look is flawless and lasts quite some time…definitely lives up to the name..$4.99 a piece
E.L.F. Cover Everything Concealer- absolutely love for a little light contouring and hiding the dark spots and circles…and its $2.00!!!
E.L.F Mineral Face Primer/Makeup Mist Set & Brushes- I am a huge fan of e.l.f…clearly…I keep these two products on hand always for a clean fresh look. I keep a few of these extra brushes in the car even for those busy days where I’m literally running out the door with concealer in a hurry!

For the Eyes...

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara- one of the best new mascaras on the market!! I’m a full fan indeed…price varies $5.99-$8.99
Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow- I love these color combinations put together…shown here in Chai Latte…lasts for hours when used with primer..very shimmery solid colors..beautiful on….$4.99!!!
E.L.F. Eyebrow Kit & Eyeshadow Brushes- this eyebrow kit is one of the best products out there. Goes on great and perfect for a quick eyebrow fix….$3.00 y’all! The brushes are cheap and do the job wonderfully.
E.L.F. Eye Refresh- I use this right before applying makeup to liven up the tender under eye area and help with puffy circles…looooove!!! $3.00!!

For the Lips & Cheeks…

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor- my favorite matte lip product out there..shown here in Rogue…cost $8.99…rich creamy color with perfect matte finish… I keep one of these in my diaper bag at all times…perfect finish to any look.
NYX Simlpy Red Lip Cream- shown here in Knock Out… I love these lip pencils. I prefer this shade for a dramatic sexier look. Matte finish and very rich color…$6.50
Covergirl Cheekers- literally have kept these around since my first experience with makeup in the younger years..shown here in Snow Plum!! Love this little thing..perfect shimmery look….$2.99-$4.99
E.L.F. Shimmering Facial Whip- ok..I talk about this a lot..I have one in the Jeep..one in the diaper bag…the purse…you feel me…its glorious with a cost like $1-2!!! I use every where for a glow or even on eyes for a quick pick me up…

So there you have it…all these things are in my bag and some of my absolute favorite/worth it steals & dupes. I’ve compared to some of the pricier counterparts and find these products hold up majorly. Use it all together for a beautiful flawless glow that comes together in a matter of minutes. Perfect for any occasion. So try it out if you haven’t and find your favorites!!!!